Carter, Rokocoko, Masoe make Euro final

Dan Carter and Racing 92 moved a step closer to their European Champions Cup goal when beating Leicester 19-16 in their semi-final at Nottingham on Sunday.

Carter kicked 11 points in the win, a conversion to Maxime Machenaud's second minute try and penalty goals in the 20th, 39th and 50th minutes.

Fellow former All Black Chris Masoe, who had an outstanding defensive game and headed the tackle count with 18 tackles, will be playing in his fourth Cup final in four years having transferred from Toulon to Racing for this season.

Racing will meet Saracens in the final on May 14 in Lyon, and Carter, who also made 14 tackles, has said Saracens will be the favouries.

"They've probably performed best in this tournament and deserve their spot in the final," he said.

"They've been leading the way, top of the points table at the end of the pool stages and have continued their form in the quarter-final and semi-final, so it's going to be a tough game for us."

Carter said he was looking forward to playing against Owen Farrell, the England first five-eighths. He had played him a few times in Tests and he was a very physical competitor who led the Saracens well.

"So I'm looking forward to coming up against him and that Saracens side.

"It's pretty special, part of the reason why I came here was to play in this competition and for the team to play extremely well and reach the final, it's exciting," he said.

Racing were happy with their start to the game, scoring 10 early points left Leicester having to chase the game.

"The territory was controlled, we kept our composure, but it was hard, when they came back in the last 10 minutes," he said.

An extra edge for Racing for the final was the chance to gain some revenge after Saracens knocked Racing out of last year's Cup in the quarter-finals.

Machenaud said as much in after-match comments.

"That's what we wanted and now we have three weeks to get ready for it.

"I still remember the game very well, it was a very physical match because they have very powerful forwards. Their team hasn't changed much so the game will be very similar," he said.

Carter's former All Blacks team-mate Joe Rokocoko, whose searing break created Machenaud's try, said Carter could secure a fairytale end to his and Racing's season.

"His experience of big pressure game like this, he's still driven to be the best player he can be for the team – and then for himself afterwards.

"Making finals rugby is something every player strives for and if we can go all the way it will be just another fairytale ending for him," he said.